While door-knocking in Roanoke County this evening, I met a woman who said she was undecided on which presidential candidate to vote for. She said the decision was so hard, she might just not vote at all, but I reminded her if she doesn’t vote, then someone without her values will speak for her. Seemingly a very devout Christian, she said she has many crosses in her house and that her son had emailed her a link comparing the two candidates and their positions on various issues. She claimed she planned to read the comparison chart, pray, and then decide whom to vote for.
The Bible clearly doesn’t include candidates or parties’ names, but does it offer any guidance for this year’s elections, or any elections?
In what many find a terrifying verse, Hosea 4:6 states: “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. ‘Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.’” (NIV)
Here are some traits we need daily, in every year.
- We need wisdom. “for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” (Prov. 8:11)
- We need to humble ourselves and repent. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14) (Neh. 1:3-11)
- “Older men and women, and younger men” are to be “sensible” (having good judgment, discerning, having common sense). Chuck Swindoll says “sensible” is one of his favorite words in the New Testament. “Older men are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance” (Titus 2:2, also v. 5,6 CSB)
- We must be responsible with what God has entrusted to us. (Matt. 25:14-30) Parable of Talents. George Barna predicts 32 million churchgoing, self-identified Christians will NOT vote in 2024. (Biden beat Trump in 2020 by only about 42,000 votes in 4 big cities.)
- Do not quarrel, but be gentle, able to teach, patient. “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” (2 Tim. 2:24 NIV). “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” (Prov. 20:3 NIV).
- Don’t look for a pseudo-”savior.” “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. (Ps. 146:3 NIV) Some claim this is “the middle verse of the Bible.”
- Malign no one (The word “malign” in Greek has the sense of “blaspheme”), but be peaceable, gentle, considerate. “to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.” (Titus 3:2 BSB)
- We may think a Christian’s main job is to “be nice,” but we’re called to speak the truth, work for justice, and expose lies. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,” (Rom. 1:18 NASB). “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” (I Cor. 13:6 NIV).
- Don’t worry. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil. 4:6 NIV) Some paraphrase this verse as, “Worry about nothing; pray about everything.” In other words, convert your “worry list” into your “prayer list.”
- Pray for all in authority. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:1-4)
- Seek God’s Kingdom first, above earthly kingdoms and power. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33 KJV)
- Be salt and light. Be preservatives in a dark, rotting world. Our votes and involvement in the public square should help preserve culture and civilization. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:13-16 NIV)
- Know the truth. “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 NIV) Much of today’s “news” media is mere propaganda. Four years ago, Oct. 19, 2020, 51 US intel officers signed a letter claiming Hunter Biden’s laptop appeared to be “Russian disinformation,” and most “news” platforms trumpeted that as truth. However, now we know the FBI had been holding onto the laptop for months, and Russia had nothing to do with it. Twitter & Facebook censored the laptop story, thus influencing the election by withholding crucial information.
- Do everything in love. “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 16:1,13 NIV)
(Updated 10-29-24. To be continued.)
–Scott Dreyer
